Ben Simmons NBA debut: From Melbourne to Philadelphia 76ers

As a gangly 14-year-old growing up in Melbourne Ben Simmons didn’t even have a year nine school basketball team to show off his talents in – but tomorrow the eyes of the world will be on the NBA rookie tipped to be Australia’s next global sporting superstar.

Simmons will finally pull on a Philadelphia 76ers jersey and make his long-awaited debut in the NBA.

The 21-year-old has been touted as one of Australia's most promising exports and expected to be a contender for the prestigious Rookie of the Year award, despite missing the 2016 season due to a foot injury.

But amid all the hype, the basketball prodigy's high school coach says Simmons' hasn't forgotten his Melbourne roots.

Ben Simmons started his basketball at Box Hill Senior Secondary College before playing college for Louisiana State University and in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers. ()

Coach Kevin Goorjian said he immediately recognised Simmons' raw talent when he first laid eyes on him shooting hoops around Box Hill Senior Secondary College.

"The school didn't have Year 9 basketball team but once I saw Ben I knew we needed one," Goorjian told nine.com.au.

"I marched to the principal's office, got a team together and by the end of the year he was in first division competing with Year 12 students."

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Both Goorjian and Simmon's father – NBL import Dave Simmons – knew the young gun's talent and dedication could propel him to an elite level.

But his exposure to top competitions and big league teams in the US would always be limited from Down Under.

Coach Kevin Goorjian said Simmons' father Dave was the driving force behind him moving to the US to play in high school (Supplied/AAP) ()

"His father knew for Ben to get better and better, he needed to play at a top American basketball school and that's what he did," Goorjian said.

After three-years under Goorjian's tutelage, Simmons moved to Florida and went on to win three National Championships with the prestigious basketball school Montverde Academy.

"That is a very difficult thing to achieve. He was playing at Madison Square Garden in the final – that's pretty big time for a 16 or 17-year-old," Goorjian said.

Simmons was forced to grow up fast, but Goorjian said the 21-year-old is mature beyond his years and took both the demanding training regimes and high-pressure games in his stride.

He signed on to play his first year of college basketball with Louisiana State University, then decided to forgo his final three years and declare himself eligible for the 2016 NBA draft.

Goorjian - who has mentored Aussie greats like Andrew Bogut - said he felt Simmons would have been mentally and physically ready to play in the NBA straight out of high school but there is a rule that stops promising young players from bypassing the college league.

"Back when Lebron and Kobe played, they went straight to the NBA and in my eyes Ben was ready too," he said.

Simmons was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 draft and would have debuted as a rookie last year had he of not broken a bone in his foot during training camp after a stand-out summer league performance.

Despite looking at a handsome payday and international acclaim, Gorojian said Simmons is extremely grounded and values his place in the local basketball community.

Simmons played for three years under coach, Kevin Goorjian. (Supplied) ()

"He doesn't forget where he came from. Melbourne's home for him," Goorjian said.

"Every time his season finishes he comes back to Box Hill. He scrimmages and trains with our guys to give them a chance to see how hard he works.

"He's just that kind of kid, it's a credit to how he was raised."

Goorjian caught up with Simmons when he was home in August for a training camp the young Aussie playmaker ran for local kids.

He said the towering rookie was "itching" to make his regular season debut against the Washington Wizards.

"He is one hundred percent ready for tomorrow. He has that injury behind him and he's good to go."

The former Melbourne schoolboy will debut with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. (Supplied/AAP) ()

Goorjian predicts Simmons will be a powerhouse player for the 76ers, with his natural ability to inspire better performances from his teammates one of his best qualities on court.

"Ben is a serious competitor. He's not worried about any individual awards – he just wants to prove himself which makes him a real threat."

Despite being 6ft 10 and 104kgs, Goorjian said Simmons is exceedingly agile and a "fabulous passer".

"He has an all-round ability to either attack the basket and go to the rim, or throw a nice pass,” the Melbourne coach said.

Simmons was picked first overall by the 76ers in the 2016 draft. (AAP) ()

"He is versatile plus he's got great reach - he has the wingspan of a 7 footer so he'll be able to defend and guard a lot of different positions."

Simmons has the height to hold his own as a forward, but 76ers and former Australian Olympic coach Brett Brown said he has plans to test the young competitor as a point guard to make use of his impressive court view and ball handling skills.

Goorjian said he often has to remind himself how young Simmons is, and the years, potentially decades he still has left to prove himself as a league superstar.

"Ben is going to be around for a really long time. No one really knows how much he will achieve or what he will become but we are all so excited."

Simmons and his 76ers will play against the Washington Wizards at home in Washington DC's Capital One Arena at 10am on Thursday.